BLOOD AND CONTRACT

: Meeting

fic, of course, with iron gates and security cameras. I sat in my beat-up Honda Civic, stari

ry him for money. The sane side of my brain screamed to get lost, but thinking of

even press the button. "Miss Carter, please

ular left, past manicured gardens and marble fountains, feeling smaller with each passi

tler opened the front door. He was very old and

derson. Mr. Blackwood

crystal chandeliers and oil paintings, all of which likely cost more than my family's hous

opening massive oak doors. "S

. There was a crackling fire in the marble fireplace while shadows danced ov

y, and I forgot

tly styled, sharp cheekbones, and eyes the color of storm clouds. He wore a charcoal suit that

my stomach flip. Cold, calcu

tured, with just the slightest hint of

out of place in my simple black dress. He remained standing, app

matter-of-factly. "I need a wife for one year; you

had escaped my mouth smaller than I

"It's a contract. You'll be living here, attending functions as m

in re

aken care of. Your mother will get the best care that money can provide." He

e a snake. "What about... I mean, w

you it isn't real. We will have separate bedrooms, separat

ter the

rtably live for the rest of your life. Finish your archi

wanted. Financial freedom, but it cost me one year of my life. Secur

"If this is just business, why

, his gaze fixed on my face. "Yo

ha

u won't ask questions; you won't develop feelings. You

cheeks. "You think

pensive cologne mixed with something darker. "This arrangement benefits us both.

my mind? What if

ell, Miss Carter. There are penalties in plac

my spine. "What s

returned to his desk, his body language dismissing me altogether. "You

shaking. "I haven't

uffling. "You're here, aren't you? You're considering it.

ood into a simmer. "You do

ur family since you were sixteen," he said, his voice clinical and detached. "I know you've never had a serious relationshi

invasion of space. "Y

know you are stubborn, proud, and fiercely protective of your family. I know

wrong a

alk away. Tell your sister she has to drop out of medical school. Tell your mother she'll have to learn t

ect; he saw right through me. But most of all, I wanted to get as far away from this

time t

esk as if I had disappeared entire

he door when his

s Ca

k with great

l cost you something in return. Make sure you under

m I giv

nd essentially lifeless. "The illu

me back through a maze of corridors. The butler's kindne

," Henderson whispered to me

nd that hard

him. At times, pain compels people to erec

nd of pain could have made a person like the on

my story to tell, miss. But I will say this-he's

t replaying in my mind. This arrangement will save y

life insurance that wouldn't be enough to rescue us. I considered my

an Blackwood, reside in his cold mansion, and play the role for a year. To sa

ly a deal between two parties. The way Damian had looked at me, the terms upon which he had spoken, and H

n the living room, her eye

it go?" s

met him. He's... diff

erent

her and took her hands in mine. "Grace, he could pay for everyth

oes he want

for the family inheritance." I squee

an't sacrifice y

ou'll be well on your way to becoming a doctor. Mom will be stable. And I'

my face. "Yo

I'm determined. This is our ch

yself of life with Damian Blackwood for a year. Pretending to be someone I was

ctor appointments, or of mortgage payments that would never be fulfilled. Thoughts

in solitude for two years of bliss. One year pretendin

it. I had

ian's eyes would not leave me. Cold, unfeeling, yes, but beneath that

. And I had a chilling feeling that whatever it was he was

ing in my head, which I barely registered-something about shi

be. I had been s

n't

a text from an unknown number sent at 3:47 AM: *"Sleep well,